After the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations issued a release suggesting the RCMP’s release of information on the shooting death of a Red Pheasant First Nation man was biased, the RCMP scheduled a meeting with media to release the following:
Speaking notes from Friday evening's media availability - Spokesperson: Supt. Rob Cameron - "F" Division Assistant Criminal Operations Officer
Good evening and thank you for coming. First off, on behalf of the RCMP, I’d like to express our condolences to the friends and family of Colton Boushie.
Earlier today [Friday], the FSIN released a statement on their website relating to one of our media releases. It is deeply concerning for us as the provincial police service to hear one of our media releases categorized as biased and not in line with the relationship we have with the FSIN and all the communities we serve.
We have heard the concerns of the FSIN and we welcome the opportunity to discuss them and work together to address them. The FSIN is one of our essential partners and we value this partnership and their input greatly.
Our relationships with our partners and the communities we serve are critical to our success as a police service in our efforts towards a safe and secure Saskatchewan. Without this ongoing support, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for all of us to contribute to communities where we can feel safe and secure. It is a priority for us to work to contribute to the long-term wellness and safety of Saskatchewan communities through an inclusive and culturally competent police service.
I will close with this, over the past few days, there have been comments made on social media that are concerning and could be criminal in nature. It’s understandable that during a situation like this emotions run high, but it is important to let the court process run its course. Therefore, I ask everyone to remain respectful in their online communication.
Following is the release by the FSIN issued earlier that day:
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Executive extends their deepest condolences to the family of Colten Boushie and the community of the Red Pheasant First Nation.
“We are saddened by the tragic death of Colten Boushie and offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends. This young man’s death is a tragedy,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “We are extremely disappointed in the way the RCMP have presented the shooting incident near Biggar, Saskatchewan, on August 9, 2016. The news release the RCMP issued the following day provided just enough prejudicial information for the average reader to draw their own conclusions that the shooting was somehow justified. The messaging in an RCMP news release should not fuel racial tensions.”
“The family of Colten Boushie is devastated by the loss of their son,” said Chief Clint Wuttunee of the Red Pheasant First Nation. “The media’s initial portrayal of the event made the incident sound like a crime was about to be committed by the passenger’s in the car. The media based their reports on the RCMP’s news release.”
"The people of this province and this country deserve an immediate strategy to be put in place by all levels of leaders in order to feel safe, including the assurance that this tragedy will be investigated for what it is, a crime based on race,” said FSIN Vice Chief Kimerbly Jonathan. “Colten Boushie deserves justice and anything less is unacceptable."
“The shooting incident is causing concern amongst First Nations youth,” said FSIN Youth representative Andre Bear. “There is growing concern that First Nation youth will travel in fear and be targeted because of the colour of their skin. Our young people should not have to live in a state of fear because of hate.”
The FSIN is calling for a review of the RCMP’s communication policies and writing guidelines in respect to the August 10, 2016 media release about the shooting incident near Biggar, Saskatchewan. The RCMP news release was biased and not in line with the relationship the FSIN and the RCMP have been building with measures such as the RCMP FSIN Partnership Protocol. The FSIN looks to the RCMP to ensure that their conduct respects that relationship.
